What Causes A Garage Door Opening Slowly And How To Fix It
One of the most common questions we get from Inland garage door owners is, why is my garage door opening or closing (sometimes both) slowly. Every single day, garage doors need to do a lot of heavy lifting. This can cause the door to wear out and eventually open or close slowly. In some cases, it may require simple fixes and maintenance. Others may be due to the previous opener setting.
In this article, we will give you a better understanding of what causes garage doors to move slowly as well as possible solutions. Let’s also take a look at how long a garage door should take to open and close.
Average Opening and Closing Time Period of a Garage Door
In general, a garage door will be able to fully open or close between 12 to 15 seconds, though there are exemptions; like when your garage door is really heavy or it is made of a certain material. If you notice your garage door is opening or closing for 20 seconds or longer, then it’s time to get your door professionally checked.
Why Does Your Garage Door Open Slowly
Here are the most common reasons your garage door is opening and closing slowly.
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The garage door is old
Your garage door is not opening properly because of an old or outdated garage door and garage door parts. Old or worn-out torsion springs, rollers, hinges,, and others can affect the full working condition of your door.
If you need to upgrade your garage door and its parts, contact the Overhead Door Company of the Inland Empire. We have a wide selection of modern garage doors and parts.
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The garage door opener’s speed setting is too low.
Another possible reason your garage door is moving slowly is when the speed setting is switched to slow. Check the setting of your opener speed. Or, check the owner’s manual for a safe and easy way to adjust the door opener’s speed setting.
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Improper lubrication
Poor lubrication is the most common cause of a garage door that won’t open or close fast enough. A garage door has different connected components and they create friction when they move together. To limit the friction and allow smooth operation between these components, it is important to lubricate your door.
If the garage door is not properly lubricated or it has worn down, it can slow down the opening and closing of your door. Also, over time, pulleys can wear out and springs can lose tension which leads to slower operation.
Lubricating your Garage Door
It is crucial to use the right type of lubrication when lubricating your garage door. Use a silicone or lithium grease spray instead of WD-40. WD-40 can damage the lubricant needed for your garage door to operate properly.
To lubricate your garage parts, spray the hinges completely, except the plastic hinges. Also, spray the springs, locks, and rollers. For nylon rollers, lubricate only the bearings and not the wheels. Clean and clear any debris on the tracks by wiping it with a wet sponge.
Professional Garage Door Service
If none of the issues above seem to be the cause of a slow garage door, it’s time to call a professional. A professional garage door service provider, like Inland Overhead Door Company, can assess your door and identify the main problem immediately.
Inland Overhead Door Company provides the best products and repair services in the entire Inland Empire. We have a team of experienced technicians who can immediately identify issues in your garage door system. Once the problem is identified, they will perform the necessary garage door repair. We also provide preventative maintenance. So, keep your business running optimally at all times with help from Overhead Door Company of The Inland Empire’s Preventive Maintenance Service Program.
To know more about our Preventive Maintenance Service Program, call us today.
